Matthew Stafford had his share of problems last season, but pressure wasn't one of them. He was sacked on just 3.5 percent of his dropbacks, the lowest percentage among all quarterbacks not named Peyton Manning.

Though that's partly a function of how quickly Stafford got rid off the ball, the offensive line also deserves major credit for helping to keep him upright -- and doing so despite featuring new starters at both tackle positions, as well as a rookie at right guard.

They also paved the way for Reggie Bush's 1,000 yard season, the first in Detroit since 2004.

Now here's the scary thing: The Lions return that group intact this season.

The bar is set high for this group in 2014.

Dominic Raiola is back as the unit's spiritual leader after signing on for a 14th season in Detroit. He's coming off a career year, when ProFootballFocus ranked him as the league's second-best center.

But he's also 35 years old, and it's probably unfair to expect another season so elite. The Lions would settle for one consistent year before (ideally) turning over the reins to third-round pick Travis Swanson.

While Raiola remains the leader of the group, the star could be right guard Larry Warford. He was one of just two starting guards who didn't allow a sack last year. And he did it while playing every offensive snap.

It was one of the finest seasons by a rookie last year, regardless of position, and he figures only to get better.

Riley Reiff was promising in his first season at left tackle, and joins Warford and Raiola as sure-things in the starting lineup this year. The only uncertainty seems to be at right tackle and possibly left guard.

LaAdrian Waddle surprised a lot of people when he went from going undrafted to starting eight games at right tackle last year. He sat out the season finale with an elbow injury, but he's healthy now and the prohibitive favorite for the job in 2014.

His competition is Corey Hilliard. He's played five seasons in Detroit, but it's possible that run comes to an end if he can't beat out Waddle.

Hilliard is scheduled to count $1.9 million against the cap, which is a lot to pay a third tackle. He carries just $265,000 in dead money.

Undrafted free agent Cornelius Lucas is an intriguing prospect, at 6-foot-9 and 328 pounds. The Lions gave him a $20,000 signing bonus, which suggests they're optimistic about Lucas sticking in Detroit.

If Waddle wins the right tackle job, Lucas would be much cheaper than Hilliard as the third tackle and could make the roster over him. If Hilliard wins the right tackle job, then Waddle would likely stick as the third tackle and Lucas would be out.

Waddle is making the team either way.

The final spot is at left guard. Sims has started every game there since joining Detroit four years ago, but was the weak link of the line last year and now is rehabbing from an undisclosed offseason procedure.

He also carries a $3.77 million price tag.

Swanson, Detroit's third-round pick, is considered the top interior reserve of the present and the starting center of the future. But if he shows in camp that he's ready to play right away, it's possible he could start at left guard and Sims would become a cap casualty.